Aubrie Hatch smacks a fourth-inning RBI double against Elkton-Yoncalla. GINI DAVIS – THE CRESWELL CHRONICLE
Freshman Destiney Black pitched a 12-0 five-inning shutout over visiting Elkton-Yoncalla on March 20 and the Lady Dawgs also defeated visiting Oakridge 13-3 in five innings on March 22.
Against Elkton-Yoncalla, Black gave up one hit, struck out nine, had no walks and hit one batter with the pitch. ”Destiney struck out half the girls that came to the plate, and the other six were erased by our defense,” said Creswell Head Coach Brett Giles.
Claire Gosslee led Creswell’s offense, going 3-for-3 with a triple, two doubles, four RBIs and two runs scored. ”Claire had her best game,” Giles said. With Creswell up 2-0 in the second inning, Gosslee’s triple kicked off a six-run burst that boosted the Lady Dawgs to 8-0.
”Most of our damage came in that inning,” Giles said.
Creswell added three more in the third and one in the fourth.
”Yoncalla appeared to be young and slightly overmatched; it should be interesting to see how they improve during the season,” Giles said. ”I was happy that we pounced on them early and did not let them back in it.”
Gracelyn Ehrich went 2-for-3 with a double and a run; Aubrie Hatch went 2-for-3 with an RBI and scored three runs; Morgan Janshen was 1-for-2 with a double and scored twice; and Black went 2-for-3 with two RBIs.
The Oakridge game was delayed because of rain and hail, but eventually the tarp was pulled, Turface was laid down and the game got underway. ”I’ve got to commend the Oakridge coach for staying to play instead of heading home when the weather was looking grim, and for helping to get the field playable,” Giles said.
Up 3-0 going into the third, Creswell’s bats caught fire and the Lady Dawgs ended the fourth up 12-2. Each team scored one in the fifth.
Hallie Drago went 2-for-4 with a triple and a double, two RBIs and a run to lead Creswell’s offense.
Lexi McCrory was 2-for-3 with two doubles and an RBI; Ehrich went 1-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and a run; Myckenna Hurst was 1-for-2 with a double, an RBI and a run; Janshen was 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs; Kelsey Kuhnhausen was 1-for-2 with a double, an RBI and two runs; and Black went 2-for-3 with a double.
From the pitcher’s circle, Black gave up three runs (two earned) on seven hits, including a double, struck out seven and walked one.
”It took us a little bit to adjust to their pitcher’s speed, but once we adjusted we hit the ball hard and often,” Giles said, tallying 16 hits – eight singles, seven doubles and a triple – 12 RBIs and 13 runs.
”Our defense played well also,” Giles added. ”I was really pleased with our contact with the ball.”
